ROUNDTABLE: Who wins between Fedor Emelianenko and Frank Mir

FRANK HYDEN, MMATorch Contributor

I think Fedor wins, but I’m a big Fedor fan so I’m biased. I know he’s nowhere what he used to be, but I think he matches up well with Mir. His striking, wrestling, and grappling are all good enough still to get the job done. Mir’s not what he used to be as well. Both guys have slipped, so it should be an exciting and interesting fight. I think Fedor wins by TKO in the 4th round. I’m pretty excited for this fight and I think it delivers.

AARON CRIDER, MMATorch Contributor

Emelianenko’s status as a legend is unquestionable, but I think Mir’s hunger will be the deciding factor here. He’s been out so long and this is a fight he’s wanted for nearly 20 years. It won’t be the same type of fight it would have been when both were in  their primes, nonetheless it will be great. Emelianenko will hold his own but look to Mir to put on a show, not only of his tremendous skill, but of respect for one of his heroes in the sport.

RAFFAEL IGLESIAS, MMATorch Contributor

I find the fights in the Bellator heavyweight tournament weird and awkward. It’s a mish-mash of personalities. This makes determining an outcome hard to predict. This fight is no exception. Even at his age, Fedor Emelianenko is very much still a threat on his feet due to his punching power. His highly effective, but very unorthodox, striking will present a challenge to Frank’s technical boxing.

I believe that if Frank Mir decides to stand up with Fedor, Mir may end up getting knocked out. This fight could become very interesting if it somehow ended up on the ground. There are not many guys the size of Frank Mir who have the technical jujitsu proficiency and acumen that he does. Speaking of size, Mir comes into this fight looking enormous and much bigger than Fedor. Side-by-side these two guys look like they belong in different weight classes. I think being away for two years will affect Mir’s timing which plays right into Fedor’s hands. I don’t see how Frank Mir would get this fight to the ground. I’m going to go with Fedor winning this fight by TKO somewhere in the second round.

SEAN COVINGTON, MMATorch Contributor

The last time I saw Frank Mir, it was Mark Hunt was knocking him out. I expect the same here, Fedor Emelianenko is far past his prime, but has plenty left in the tank to knock Mir out in the second round.